Toy Birds
1939
Medium
watercolor, graphite, and pen and ink on paperboard
Dimensions
overall: 27.9 x 43.2 cm (11 x 17 in.) Original IAD Object: 5 3/4" long; 4" high
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.16824
Art Historical Context
**Toy Birds** by Frank Budash, in 1939, the charm of small-scale American folk art toys through a meticulous rendering in watercolor, graphite, pen and ink on paperboard. Measuring 27.9 x 43.2 cm (11 x 17 in.), this depicts delicate toy birds—originally 5 3/4 inches long and 4 high—with vibrant colors and fine lines that highlight their whimsical forms and handcrafted details. Budash's precise technique brings these everyday objects to life, showcasing the playful ingenuity of American craftsmanship. This artwork is part of the **Index of American Design**, a Federal Art Project under the Wor...
About the Artist
Frank Budash
Frank Budash was an American artist active during the late 1930s and early 1940s, best known for his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This ambitious initiative commissioned artists across the United States to create precise watercolor and graphite renderings of everyday American objects, folk crafts, and decorative ...